cushcameleon
New Member
What would be a good starter reptile for a young boy? A bearded dragon? He is very responsible and good with animals and really wants a chameleon. However, I suggested he start with something easier and work his way up.
Good Starter Reptiles
- Thread starter cushcameleon
- Start date
panthercrazy
New Member
Generally, bearded dragons or leopard geckos are fairly good starter reptiles for kids, with proper guidance of course 
Age of child also plays a determining part as well.
Age of child also plays a determining part as well.insert name here
New Member
I think a beardie, a leopard gecko, or a ball python would be great starters.
CleaTheChameleon
New Member
BEARDED DRAGONS!!!!! LLLReptile has them for 18 dollars BABIES
PantherVeileD
Avid Member
Bearded dragon #1,
Ball python or redtail boa #2
Leopard gecko #3
Ball python is too easy to care for. With proper setup they only need fresh water and be fed once a week! How easy is that..
Ball python or redtail boa #2
Leopard gecko #3
Ball python is too easy to care for. With proper setup they only need fresh water and be fed once a week! How easy is that..
insert name here
New Member
I think a ball python would be better than a corn snake because they arent so active and balls will just chill on your arm where as a corn will want to explore.
AJA
Established Member
How about a bug? Praying Mantis, Giant African Millipede
The reason I suggset those is that a BD is a long term commitment and if he should get bored with it then there is the hassle of finding it a new home. Also there is a lot of work to BD in my opinion (meaning it has be fed every day or every other day).
With a Mantis he can let it go during the summer (assuming it is USDA approved) and not be tied down to a long term commitment.
The GAM could be a bit longer term but easier to care since it can feed on its food for several days. He can handle the GAM for short periods of time and as long as he doesn't scare it, it won't secret anything at him
There are also crested geckos and you don't have to worry about crickets, just put it on the crested gecko diet and NO babyfood.
Anoles?
-peanut gallery
The reason I suggset those is that a BD is a long term commitment and if he should get bored with it then there is the hassle of finding it a new home. Also there is a lot of work to BD in my opinion (meaning it has be fed every day or every other day).
With a Mantis he can let it go during the summer (assuming it is USDA approved) and not be tied down to a long term commitment.
The GAM could be a bit longer term but easier to care since it can feed on its food for several days. He can handle the GAM for short periods of time and as long as he doesn't scare it, it won't secret anything at him
There are also crested geckos and you don't have to worry about crickets, just put it on the crested gecko diet and NO babyfood.
Anoles?
-peanut gallery
cushcameleon
New Member
He decided he wants a leopard gecko. Can anyone provide me with some care /enclosure tips? Or links to good sites? I don't want to be pulling information from an unreliable source.
panthercrazy
New Member
www.geckosunlimited.com A great forum
Redfoot Tortoise???
Can't deny a face like this!
Can't deny a face like this!
cushcameleon
New Member
That is a great looking turtle.
panthercrazy
New Member
Can't deny a face like this!
Would be very hard to deny.
THECHAMMAN
Established Member
MUST RESIST FAAACCCEEE, must buy one. not enough money. awwwwwww (((((
(((((
dodolah
Retired Moderator
ChamNovice
New Member
I'm agreeing with people on the leopard geckos. I have them, I like them, super easy to care for, a pretty docile animal. Some of the morphs can get PRICEY, but can have great colors.
Julirs
New Member
Beardies are not that hard, but people need to realize they get pretty big and you spend alot of time making salad for them. They also need to be supplemented. Put then again people feed birds and hamsters only commercial seed diet, and that is not right either. People need to get over that any animal is "cage and feed"-it just isn't that easy.
viaje
New Member
I'll disagree with everyone here on the leopard gecko- after working at my local pet store I quickly found that Leo's are often too fragile for small children, and it doesn't take much more than a small drop to cause fatal internal bleeding. If you do decide on a Leo, I urge you to look for an adult, they aren't as sensitive or jumpy. (it can be really hard to keep a baby in your hands)
My personal favorite for geckos is a Crested gecko, they're quite hardy, also kids (and me!) love the "sticky" toes, . They're one of the few lizards that can be sustained (although it's not their ideal diet) solely on baby food, and a good cage for them is a 10g tank turned on end for a arboreal habitat, with a little substrate and plants. When adults, they seem perfectly happy lounging on their owners shoulder.
Don't get me wrong though- I think a beardie is the best pet for a kid, but I agree that it's a long term commitment compared to other options.
Hope you get something you enjoy!
-Abby
My personal favorite for geckos is a Crested gecko, they're quite hardy, also kids (and me!) love the "sticky" toes, . They're one of the few lizards that can be sustained (although it's not their ideal diet) solely on baby food, and a good cage for them is a 10g tank turned on end for a arboreal habitat, with a little substrate and plants. When adults, they seem perfectly happy lounging on their owners shoulder.
Don't get me wrong though- I think a beardie is the best pet for a kid, but I agree that it's a long term commitment compared to other options.
Hope you get something you enjoy!
-Abby
